The Leader of Kent County Council (KCC) Roger Gough has told a meeting of council Members that the events of the past week will have a huge impact on KCC and the future of local government across the UK.
A major step towards securing more decision-making powers in Kent and Medway was outlined in the English Devolution White Paper, with the Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, setting out plans for local government reorganisation and more elected mayors across England.
Devolution is a key policy of the government, central it says to kickstarting economic growth which will involve handing decision-making powers to local political leaders and providing millions of pounds to shape major policies and projects on a regional level.
At the moment, a large proportion of decisions about what happens in Kent and Medway are taken by the government and its departments. Instead, it wants to give areas more powers to make their own decisions on issues such as transport, skills and support for business.
The Leaders of Kent County Council, Medway Council and all 12 District and Borough Councils in the county submitted an expression of interest earlier this year to the Deputy Prime Minister, which set out how they are keen to work with government to shape an innovative and comprehensive devolution deal for Kent and Medway.
KCC leader has told Members that the timetable for devolution in Kent and Medway could now move forward at pace.